Putin defends Crimean vote, blasts West

MOSCOW (AP) -- President Vladimir Putin has defended Russia's move to annex Crimea, saying that the rights of ethnic Russians have been abused by the Ukrainian government.

In a televised address to the nation, he said Tuesday that Crimea's vote Sunday to join Russia is in line with international law, reflecting its right for self-determination.

He pointed at the example of Kosovo's independence bid, supported by the West, and said that Crimea's secession from Ukraine repeats Ukraine's own secession from the Soviet Union in 1991.

He denied Western accusations that Russia invaded Crimea prior to the referendum, saying Russian troops were sent there in line with a treaty with Ukraine that allows Russia to have up to 25,000 troops at its Black Sea Fleet base in Crimea.